A Hybrid Method for Solving Time-Domain Integral Equations in Transient Scattering

A new hybrid method is proposed for the numerical solution of integral equations describing transient scattering problems. The basic idea behind the method is to first discretize in space, and then solve the resulting system of linear time-domain equations by carrying out a temporal Laplace transformation. This approach combines the efficiency of the marching-on-in-time method with the stability and the accuracy of frequency-domain techniques. Numerical results are presented for the scattering of E-polarized, pulsed waves by a one-dimensionally inhomogeneous, lossy dielectric slab located in between two homogeneous, lossless dielectric half-spaces, and by a radially inhomogeneous, lossy dielectric circular cylinder embedded in vacuum. For these problems, the hybrid method turns out to be more powerful than existing solution techniques.